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Oklahoma governor urged to sign revised Sharia law measure

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT mmcnutt@opubco.com •
Published: April 13, 2013

The founder of a group that has voiced concern about the growing influence of radical Islam within the U.S. asked Oklahoma's governor on Friday to sign a bill that would prohibit foreign laws from being enforced in state courtrooms.

Former assistant secretary of defense Frank Gaffney speaks about the Muslim brotherhood treat in Oklahoma at the state Capitol on Friday, April 12, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

“It is not to say that all Muslims are a threat,” said Frank Gaffney, founder and president of the Center for Security Policy. “It is the case, however, that those who embrace and submit to Sharia and insist on, according to its doctrine, making the rest of us submit to it, are a danger.”

Gaffney served as a deputy assistant defense secretary during the 1980s in the Reagan administration. He said he met with the governor during a stop at the state Capitol that also included talking with the recently formed counterterrorism caucus of the Legislature.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed House Bill 1060, which was sent to Gov. Mary Fallin for her consideration.

Fallin met with Gaffney on Friday and the governor appreciated his comments, said her communications director, Alex Weintz.

“We actually have not received the bill yet in our office and have not begun our review of the legislation,” he said.

Group wants veto

The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on Muslims and others to ask Fallin to veto the bill. The group said HB 1060 is intended to attack the religious principles of Islam.

Gaffney said the Council on American-Islamic Relations is associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is known for engaging in political violence and was responsible for creating Hamas, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization. He said the council was founded as a political fundraiser and to do political warfare for Hamas in 1993. Gaffney also said the council has roots in the Islamic Association of Palestine. Gaffney said his information came from a memorandum dealing with the council, which was an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2004 Hamas funding case filed in federal court in Dallas.